Louisville slips past UTSA on Sunday, 1-0

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Bubba Makela tied a season high with 13 saves, but it was not enough, as Christine Exeter’s goal in the 81st minute lifted Louisville to a 1-0 victory against UTSA on Sunday afternoon at Cardinal Park.

Makela made nine saves in the first half for the Roadrunners (1-7), while Alexis Alaniz led the offense with three shots. Makela’s 13 stops equaled her total in a 1-0 setback on Aug. 25 against then-No. 12 Texas A&M.

Meanwhile, the Cardinals improved to 4-2-1 with their third consecutive victory. The home squad out-shot UTSA 23-11 and goalie Paige Brown made three saves en route to her second shutout of the campaign.

Louisville posted 14 shots in the opening half, but could not find the back of the net against Makela and the UTSA defense. The Mukilteo, Wash., native kept the Roadrunners in the match with the most saves in a half since she had 10 in the second stanza against the Aggies.

The Roadrunners turned up the pressure on offense in the second half with eight shots, while the Cardinals recorded nine.

The teams remained tied until the 81st minute, when Exeter’s fifth goal of the season would prove to be the difference. The Cardinals did not allow a shot over the final nine minutes to seal the victory.

UTSA will be back in action next Sunday, Sept. 22, when it travels to Austin for a 7 p.m. matchup with Texas (4-2-1).